Toy boat conversion kit for an expended container

ABSTRACT

A conversion kit for converting an expended container into a functional toy sailboat. The kit comprising in combination with an expended product container, which is to function as the hull, a mainsail including a boom and a mast which is attached to said expended container, a jib sail attached to said mast and including a clubfoot which is adjustably secured to a bowsprit attached to said container. The said toy sailboat additionally including a keel member attached to the underside of said container.

batted States Patent n91 Dowrick [76] Inventor: R. Lindsey Dowrick, c/oGeneral Delivery, Needmore, Pa. 17238 [22] Filed: Nov. 29, 11972 [21] Appl. No.1 310,550

[52] US. Cl 46/11, 46/93, 114/39' [51] Int. Cl A63h 23/02 [58] Field of Search 46/11, 93; 114/39, 90, 1 14/102 [56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,856,803 5/1932 Blackman 114/102 3,251,154 5/1966 Taylor 46/11 3,280,501 10/1966 Hornbostel 4. 46/93 TOY BOAT CONVERSION KTT FOR AN EXPENDED CONTAINER 1 Aug. 20, 1974' Primary ExuminerAntonio F. Guida Assistant Examiner-Robert F. Cutting Attorney, Agent, or Firm-K'arl W. Flocks [5 7 ABSTRACT A conversion 'kit for converting an expended container into a functional toy sailboat. The kit comprising in combination with an expended product container, which is to function as the hull, a mainsail including a boom and a mast which is attached to said expended container, a jib sail attached to said mast and including a clubfoot which is adjustably secured to a bowsprit attached to said container. The said toy sailboat additionally including a keel member attached to the underside of said container.

13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures TOY BOAT CONVERSION KIT FOR AN EXPENDED p CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Toy boats are well known in the prior art, as exempli fied by US. Pats, No. 1,449,030 (Barney et al.), No. 1,918,543 (Hoffman), and No. 2,805,516 (Palm). Barney et al. and Palm in particular relate to toy boats which are converted from expended product containers. In the Palmpatent an expended milk carton is converted into a simulated rear paddle wheel river package freighter. The Barney et a1. patent discloses a toy sailboat comprising a sail attached to an expended tincan or the like.

The Hoffman patent relates to a toy sailboat, all parts of which are ab initio intended to be part of a sailboat.

From a brief review of the prior art it is readily seen that the Palm construction is clearly not a sailboat and that the Barney et al.,sailboat is of very limited capability. Insofar as the Hoffman sailboat is concerned it is clearly an expensive proposition with respect to manufacturing costs and is further of considerably limited capability as a sailboat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a novel toy sailing craft and in particular to the conversion of an expended product container into a functional toy sailboat. Accordingly, the present invention provides a means of more fully exploiting material resources in the conversion of expended'product containers into a functional toy sailing craft.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device combining educational benefits along with fun and recreation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an easily assembled toy sailboat. I g

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a toy sailboat which is functional and inexpensive to make.

In accordance with the present invention a mainsail element is provided with a boom and mast for attachment to an expended container alongwith a jib sail provided with a clubfoot adjustably secured to a bowsprit for attachment to a plastic bottle. Additionally, a keel element is provided for attachment to the underside of the plastic bottle to provide stability of the sailing craft to be assembled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the toy boat as assembled in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional'view taken along the plane 2-2 in'FIG. 1 with portions of the sails broken away;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the plane 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the plane 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged view takenalong the plane 55 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of the elements illus- V DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings in greater particularity the toy sailboat 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in the fully assembled condition in FIG. 1. The toy boat 10 comprises the primary element of a hull'l2, a keel 14, a mainsail 26 and a jib sail 38. The hull 12 as is obvious from FIG. 1 is an expended product container and is preferably a plastic bottle although it may be a can or a container made from other materials. The mainsail 26 and the jib sail 38 are preferably made of polyethylene sheet material although they may be of any other suitable material. The mainsail 26 is formed with a vertical sleeve and a horizontal sleeve into which a vertical rod 22 and a horizontal rod 30, respectively, may be inserted. The vertical rod 22 in cludes an upper portion 28 which serves as the mast of the sailboat. The horizontal rod 30 serves as the boom of the mainsail 26. A vertically extending rod 20 and the lower portion of the rod 22 serve as connecting elements between the mainsail 26, the hull l2 and the keel 14. The jib sail 38 is formed with a horizontally extending sleeve into which a rod 40 serving as a clubfoot may be inserted. At the forward end 45 of the hull 12 a rod 42, which is to serve as the bowsprit, is inserted.

Looking now at FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 it is seen that the keel 14 is streamlined in cross-section and also in the form of a vertically elongated pocket provided with a pair of struts 16 extending transversely between interior walls thereof and integral therewith. Cooperating with struts 16 are a pair of arcuate web portions 18 extending transversely between interior walls of the keel 14 and integral therewith to form friction-retaining sockets. The keel 14, which is in the form of a pocket in which sand 24 or other material may be held in order to provide proper stability for the sailboat, is of a relatively rigid plastic material although it may be of other suitable material.

Additional details of the mainsail are illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 in which the sleeve 27 of mainsail 26 is disposed around the boom 30 which is provided with a slot 31 inwhich the shank portion 35 of a gooseneck 34 is firmly secured. The gooseneck 34 thus provides a pivotal relationship between the boom 30 and the mast 28.

To assemble the sails 26 and 38 on mast 28 and clubfoot 40, respectively, a plurality of split collars 39, 41,

and 43 are provided. One of the sleeve collars 41 is illustrated in FIG. 7 with a slot 43 which allows for movement past opposite sides of the sails. This relationship between one of the sails and a slotted sleeve collar of this type is illustrated in FIG. 8 in which the jib sail 38 is disposed within the slot of the sleeve collar 51 extending around the clubfoot 40 and having a jib sheet 50 attached thereto.

Looking now at FIGS. 9 and 10 it is seen that the clubfoot 40 and the bowsprit 42 are connected to each other at two locations. Sleeve collars 46 and 48 are slidably disposed around the clubfoot 40 and bowsprit 42, respectively, at the forward end thereof. The sleeve collars 46 and 48 are formed with ears 47 and 49 in confronting relationship with each other and interconnected by a connecting element 55. Rearwardly of the sleeve collars 46 and 48, sleeve collars 51 and 53 are disposed in sliding relationship about Clubfoot 40 and bowsprit 42, respectively. The collars 51 and 53 are seen to be interconnected by a connecting member or jib sheet 50 which may be a wire or thread.

ASSEMBLY AND OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In order to assemble the preferred embodiment of the present invention an expended product container such as a plastic bottle for detergent is formed with two pairs of slightly undersized holes through opposite wall portions thereof into which a rod is inserted through both holes of an aligned pair with the major portion of the rod 20 extending outwardly from a lower portion of the bottle or hull l2 and a small portion thereof projecting through the upper hole. The undersized holes tend to grip rods 20 and 22 and also close up to prevent water from leaking into the hull 12. A second rod 22, which is considerably longer than rod 20, is inserted through the other pair of aligned holes with the lower portion of the rod 22 extending downwardly from the bottle 12 for the same distance as the rod 20. The pocket-like keel 14 is filled with sand or light material and is brought into proximity with the lower portions of rods 20 and 22 aligned with the sockets formed by struts l6 and arcuate web portions 18. The lower ends of rods 20 and 22 are then forcibly inserted into the sockets formed by struts 16 and arcuate web members 18. Mainsail 26 is assembled by inserting boom 30 into the horizontal sleeve thereof, passing the gooseneck 34 of the boom down over the mast portion 28 of rod 22 with the vertical sleeve portion of mainsail 26 following the gooseneck 34 over and around the mast 28. Sleeve collars 36 and 37 which are interconnected by mainsheet 32 in the form of a wire are slidably disposed around the projecting post portion of rod 20 and boom 30, respectively, to provide for adjustment of the trim of the mainsail 26.

Assembly of the jib sail 38 is effected by inserting club foot 40 into the sleeve at the lower portion thereof, attaching the upper portion to the mast 28 by means of a sleeve collar 39 disposed around the mast 28. Split sleeve collars 41 and 43 are disposed around club foot 40 in order to securely retain club foot 40 within the sleeve portion of jib sail 38. Prior to inserting club foot 40 into split sleeve collar 43, it is inserted first into split sleeve collar 51 which is interconnected to sleeve 53 by jib sheet which is in the form of a wire of thread. After insertion of club foot 40 into split sleeve collar 43, it is inserted into collar 46 which is interconnected to collar 48. Next bowsprit 42 is inserted into collars 48 and 53 and thereafter inserted into the forward end of the plastic bottle hull 12. It is clear that sleeve collars 51 and 53 are slidable among the length of club foot 40 and bowsprit 42, respectively, whereby the trim of jib sail 38 may be adjusted to provide a desired sailing course for the assembled boat. It is clear also that the sleeve collars 46 and 48 may be adjusted forwardly and rearwardly of the club foot 40 and bowsprit 42, respectively. With the adjustable position of sleeve collars 46 and 51 along club foot 40 and of sleeve collars 48 and 53 along bowsprit 42, respectively, it is clear that the trim and/or angle of attack of the jib sheet may be adjusted to provide a desired course with respect to the available wind.

Although the trailing end of the bowsprit 42 is shown to be inserted within the handle of the container-hull 12, it is clear that it could equally well be inserted into holes provided elsewhere in the forward end of a container, for example through the cap of the container or the underside of the forward end of the container if the container should be rotated about its longitudinal axis so that the container is inverted from the position illustrated in FIG. 2, for example.

Although a single preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown to illustrate the present invention, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in details and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirt and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy sailboat comprising an expended product container serving as the hull of said toy sailboat in combination with a mainsail supported above said hull by mast means having a portion extending in said container, a jib sail supported at its highest point by said mast means and adjacent its lower and forwardmost point by a bowsprit member extending forwardly from said container, and a keel attached to and extending downwardly from the underside of said container whereby said container is converted into a fully functional toy sailboat, said expended product container being of plastic material and having a post portion and said mast means extending through opposite wall portions of said plastic container in tight-fitting holes which tend to close themselves around said post portion and said mast means.

2. The sailboat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mainsail is maintained in substantially taut and unfurled condition by said mast means attached thereto and also by a boom attached to a lower portion of said mainsail with the forward end of said boom being hingedly mounted around said mast.

3. The sailboat as claimed in claim 2 wherein said jib sail includes a club foot at the lower portion thereof.

4. The sailboat as claimed in claim 3 wherein said club foot is adjustably secured to said bowsprit by a jib sheet whereby the trim of said jib sail may be adjusted to maintain the jib sail in taut and unfurled condition and set the course of said sailboat.

5. The sailboat as claimed in claim 4 wherein the bowsprit is detachably secured to the forward end of said expended container.

6. The sailboat as claimed in claim 5 wherein said post portion projects upwardly from said container and said boom of said mainsail is adjustably secured thereat to said post portion by a mainsheet element.

7. The sailboat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said post portion and said mast means extend through said expended container and into said keel.

8. A toy sailboat comprising an expended product container serving as the hull of said toy sailboat in combination with a mainsail supported above said hull by mast means having a portion extending in said container, a jib sail supported at its highest point by said mast means and adjacent its lower and forwardmost point by a bowsprit member extending forwardly from said container, and a keel attached to and extending downwardly from the underside of said container whereby said container is converted into a fully functional toy sailboat;

said mainsail being maintained in substantially taut and unfurled condition by said mast means attached thereto and also by a boom attached to a lower portion of said mainsail with the forward end of said boom being hingedly mounted around said mast means; said jib sail including a club foot at the lower portion thereof; said clubfoot being adjustably secured to said bowsprit by a jib sheet whereby the trim of said jib sail .may be adjusted to maintain the jib sail in taut and unfurled condition and set the course of said sailboat; said bowsprit being detachably secured to the forward end of said expended container; Y said boom of said mainsail being adjustably secured to a post portion projecting upwardly from said container by a mainsheet element; said expended container serving as the hull of said sailboat being a plastic bottle; said post portion and said mast means extending through opposite wall portions of said plastic bottle in tight-fitting holes which tend to close themselves 6 around said post portion and said mast means; said post portion and said mast means extending through said expended container and into said keel; and said keel comprising a vertically elongated plastic pocket of a streamlined cross-section with at least two transversely extending struts interconnecting opposite interior walls of said plastic pocket.

9. The sailboat as claimed in claim 8 wherein arcuate web members extending between opposite interior walls of said pocket cooperate with said struts to form friction-retaining sockets for said post portion and said mast means whereby said keel is detachably; but securely attached to said container.

10. The sailboat as claimed in claim 9 wherein said bowsprit is attached to whatis normally an upper portion of said container but the forward end of said hull in stable relationship therewith. I

11. The sailboat as claimed in claim 10 wherein said bowsprit extends through opposite wall portions of a hollow handle of said container.

12. The sailboat as claimed in claim 11 wherein the mainsheet and the jib sheet are connected to the boom and club foot respectively by slidable sleeve collars provided with a slot along the upper edge thereof to permit motion across the sails.

13.The sailboat as claimed in claim 12 wherein said keel contains sand or like material of suitable weight to ensure stability of said sailboat. 

1. A toy sailboat comprising an expended product container serving as the hull of said toy sailboat in combination with a mainsail supported above said hull by mast means having a portion extending in said container, a jib sail supported at its highest point by said mast means and adjacent its lower and forwardmost point by a bowsprit member extending forwardly from said container, and a keel attached to and extending downwardly from the underside of said container whereby said container is converted into a fully functional toy sailboat, said expended product container being of plastic material and having a post portion and said mast means extending through opposite wall portions of said plastic container in tight-fitting holes which tend to close themselves around said post portion and said mast means.
 2. The sailboat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mainsail is maintained in substantially taut and unfurled condition by said mast means attached thereto and also by a boom attached to a lower portion of said mainsail with the forward end of said boom being hingedly mounted around said mast.
 3. The sailboat as claimed in claim 2 wherein said jib sail includes a club foot at the lower portion thereof.
 4. The sailboat as claimed in claim 3 wherein said club foot is adjustably secured to said bowsprit by a jib sheet whereby the trim of said jib sail may be adjusted to maintain the jib sail in taut and unfurled condition and set the course of said sailboat.
 5. The sailboat as claimed in claim 4 wherein the bowsprit is detachably secured to the forward end of said expended container.
 6. The sailboat as claimed in claim 5 wherein said post portion projects upwardly from said container and said boom of said mainsail is adjustably secured thereat to said post portion by a mainsheet element.
 7. The sailboat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said post portion and said mast means extend through said expended container and into said keel.
 8. A toy sailboat comprising an expended product container serving as the hull of said toy sailboat in combination with a mainsail supported above said hull by mast means having a portion extending in said container, a jib sail supported at its highest point by said mast means and adjacent its lower and forwardmost point by a bowsprit member extending forwardly from said container, and a keel attached to and extending downwardly from the underside of said container whereby said container is converted into a fully functional toy sailboat; said mainsail being maintained in substantially taut and unfurled condition by said mast means attached thereto and also by a boom attached to a lower portion of said mainsail with the forward end of said boom being hingedly mounted around said mast means; said jib sail including a club foot at the lower portion thereof; said club foot being adjustably secured to said bowsprit by a jib sheet whereby the trim of said jib sail may be adjusted to maintain the jib sail in taut and unfurled condition and set the course of said sailboat; said bowsprit being detachably secured to the forward end of said expended container; said boom of said mainsail being adjustably secured to a post portion projecting upwardly from said container by a mainsheet element; said expended container serving as the hull of said sailboat being a plastic bottle; said post portion and said mast means extending through opposite wall portions of said plastic bottle in tight-fitting holes which tend to close themselves around said post portion and said mast means; said post portion and said mast means extending through said expended container and into said keel; and said keel comprising a vertically elongated plastic pocket of a streamlined cross-section with at least two transversely extending struts interconnecting opposite interior walls of said plastic pocket.
 9. The sailboat as claimed in claim 8 wherein arcuate web members extending between opposite inteRior walls of said pocket cooperate with said struts to form friction-retaining sockets for said post portion and said mast means whereby said keel is detachably, but securely attached to said container.
 10. The sailboat as claimed in claim 9 wherein said bowsprit is attached to what is normally an upper portion of said container but the forward end of said hull in stable relationship therewith.
 11. The sailboat as claimed in claim 10 wherein said bowsprit extends through opposite wall portions of a hollow handle of said container.
 12. The sailboat as claimed in claim 11 wherein the mainsheet and the jib sheet are connected to the boom and club foot respectively by slidable sleeve collars provided with a slot along the upper edge thereof to permit motion across the sails.
 13. The sailboat as claimed in claim 12 wherein said keel contains sand or like material of suitable weight to ensure stability of said sailboat. 